Where to Stay - Tokyo - page 87

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¥32,000, and Inexpensive accommodations offer rooms for less than ¥16,000. Unless
otherwise indicated, units have private bathrooms.
TAXES & SERVICE CHARGES Most hotel rates provided in the listings below include
a 5% government tax. In addition, an additional local hotel tax will be added to bills that
cost more than ¥10,000 per person per night: ¥100 is levied per person per night for rates
between ¥10,000 and ¥14,999; rates of ¥15,000 and up are taxed at ¥200. Furthermore,
upper-class hotels and most midrange hotels add a service charge of 10% to 15%
(cheaper establishments do not add a service charge, because no service is provided).
Unless otherwise stated, the prices given in this chapter include all taxes and service charges.
VERY EXPENSIVE & EXPENSIVE Tokyo's top hotels can rival upper-range hotels
anywhere in the world. Although many of the city's best hotels may not show much
character from the outside, inside they're oases of subdued simplicity where hospitality
reigns supreme. In addition to fine Japanese- and Western-style restaurants, they may also
offer travel agencies, business centers, guest relations officers to help with any problems
or requests you may have (from making a restaurant reservation to finding an address),
shopping arcades, cocktail lounges with live music, spas, and health clubs with swimming
pools. Unfortunately, health clubs and swimming pools usually cost extra—anywhere
from ¥2,000 to an outrageous ¥5,000 per single use; I've noted below where extra fees
are imposed (if no fee is given, entrance is free). Some hotel chains have membership
clubs, allowing you to use pools for free. Best of all, membership is free. Note, too, that
outdoor pools are generally open only in July and August.
Rooms in upper-range hotels come with such standard features as minibars, cable TVs
with international broadcasts such as CNN and on-demand pay movies, high-speed
Internet or wireless connections (the more expensive the hotel, the more likely you'll have
to pay extra for it), clocks, radios, yukata, duvet-covered beds, hot-water pots and tea
(and sometimes coffee, but you usually pay extra for it), hair dryers, and private bath-
rooms with tub/showers (very expensive hotels usually have separate tub and shower
areas, as well as small TVs you can watch from the tub). All also have washlet toilets, a
combination toilet and spray bidet. Because they're accustomed to foreigners, all upper-
range hotels employ English-speaking staff and offer nonsmoking floors. Services pro-
vided include 24-hour room service, same-day laundry and dry-cleaning service, and
complimentary English-language newspapers, such as the Japan Times, delivered to your
room. Many hotels also offer executive floors, which are generally on the highest floors
and offer such perks as private lounges with separate check-in, more in-room amenities,
free continental breakfasts and cocktails, extended check-out times, and privileges that
can include free use of the health club. At just a few thousand yen more than regular
rates, these can be quite economical.
MODERATE Moderately priced accommodations vary from tourist hotels to business
hotels, with business hotels making up the majority. Catering primarily to traveling
Japanese businessmen, a business hotel is a no-frills establishment with tiny, sparsely
furnished rooms, most of them singles along with a few twins (double rooms are in the
minority), with barely enough space to unpack your bags. If you're a large person, you
may have trouble sleeping in a place like this. Primarily just a place to crash for the night,
these rooms usually have everything you need—minuscule private bathroom, TV, tele-
phone, radio, clock, yukata, Internet connections (either charged or free), hair dryer,
hot-water pot with tea, and usually a minibar or an empty fridge you can stock yourself.
There's usually no room service, and sometimes not even a lobby or coffee shop, although

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